Hi! My name is Grace Zhang, my pronouns are she/her, and I am from Moreland Hills, OH. I am a second-year undergraduate Eminence Fellow pursuing a personalized major in Climate Justice Studies. I am interested in studying both the scientific and social aspects of the climate crisis, as well as other related fields such as political economy, geography, women, gender, and sexuality studies, and East Asian studies to understand the systems that have caused and continue to contribute to climate change, how the crisis threatens and marginalizes communities, and how to organize and build power to prevent the destruction of our planet. I hope to use my degree not only to learn how to build a more just and equitable world, but also use it to support organizing efforts and social movements in my community and around the world to combat climate change.
At Ohio State, I am involved with the Undergraduate Student Government, where I serve on the Justice and Equity committee, Sunrise Movement, and Ohio Youth for Climate Justice, as well various mutual aid groups and community coalitions. I am also currently working on an independent research project with Professor Joel Wainwright on climate politics in China and the potential to build a widespread, environmental movement there. I am particularly passionate about grassroots organizing and involved with many community initiatives to fight for things like transit justice, the end of police brutality, and divestment from fossil fuels.
After I graduate, I hope to pursue a PhD in geography or environmental studies and go into academia where I hope to continue my research on climate justice in East Asia and teach students about the importance of addressing the climate crisis, as well to continue community organizing and mutual aid work outside of my job.
Outside of my academic and campus involvements, I also enjoy a variety of creative pursuits, such as art, music, writing, and fashion and love traveling with friends to explore the local art, food, and culture or various cities and places. I also love animals and nature, especially birds and am currently teaching myself to birdwatch.
Feel free to reach out to zhang.12309@osu.edu if you ever want to talk! 🙂